A relative is considering sending their child to study in Spain and asked me to look into the international boarding schools here in Valencia. I’ve spent some time researching and found that the educational resources are quite impressive. I’ve put together some information, including a look at the American School of Valencia, to share with forum members who might find it useful. I welcome everyone to join the discussion and add your own insights.
As Spain’s third-largest city, Valencia offers a comfortable living environment and is becoming increasingly international. The international schools here, like the SEK International School, primarily follow British and American educational systems, offering IB or A-Level curricula. This makes them a great stepping stone for students planning to apply to universities in Europe or the US. Furthermore, compared to Madrid and Barcelona, Valencia’s overall cost of living and tuition fees are generally more affordable.
A Brief Analysis of Mainstream International Schools
I’ve focused on a few schools that have a good reputation locally. Although they are all called “international schools,” their focus and characteristics are distinctly different.
Caxton College
This is likely one of the first schools many parents consider. It’s a large British school offering a complete education from nursery to high school. Its main feature is the availability of boarding, which is very convenient for international students whose families are not in Spain. The school boasts excellent facilities and a beautiful campus, with an academic focus on the A-Level curriculum. However, due to its strong reputation, admission is competitive, and the tuition fees are naturally on the higher side.
American School of Valencia
Representing the American education system, ASV is located in the town of Puzol, a short distance from Valencia’s city center. It offers an authentic American curriculum and the IB Diploma Programme. If a family’s future plan is for their child to attend university in the United States, ASV’s curriculum is an ideal match. The school has a strong community feel and places great emphasis on students’ all-round development and sports. A potential drawback is that its boarding service appears to be a homestay model with partner families rather than on-campus dormitories, a detail parents should confirm directly.
British School of Valencia
BSV is another well-known British school, conveniently located right in Valencia’s city center, making it very accessible for day students. It is smaller than Caxton, giving it the feel of a close-knit community. The quality of teaching is also high, focusing on the British National Curriculum. However, to my knowledge, BSV does not offer boarding directly. So, unlike some other international schools (such as the Valencia IB schools discussed elsewhere), if you choose this one, you’ll need to arrange your own accommodation, such as an off-campus student apartment or a homestay.
I’ve made a simple table to help with the comparison:
| School Name | Main Curriculum | Boarding Available? | Location |
|---|
| Caxton College | British | Yes | Puzol |
| American School of Valencia | American & IB | Yes | Puzol |
| British School of Valencia | British | No | Valencia City |
This is all just information I’ve gathered from official websites and various forums, so it’s definitely not comprehensive. Are there any parents here whose children attend these schools? Or anyone with more insider knowledge? Please share your real-life experiences! For example, are there many Chinese students? How attentive are the teachers to international students? How difficult is the application process? Any information is greatly appreciated. Thank you all in advance!
